Program guide system with browsing display

ABSTRACT

An inter pap active television program guide system is provided in which a user may direct the program guide to display a browsing display screen. The browsing display screen includes a list of current programs including a movable highlight region, a video window containing a television program to which the system is currently tuned, and a detailed description of the highlighted program listing. The user may position the highlight region using remote control cursor keys. The user may then synchronize the content of the video window with the highlighted program listing by pressing a select key or a channel up or down key. If the user changes channels repeatedly using the channel up and down keys, the contents of the video window and the highlighted program listings remain in synchronization.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/054,917, filed Apr. 2, 1998, which claims the benefit of U.S.provisional patent application No. 60/067,953, filed Dec. 8, 1997. Bothof these patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference hereinin their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to interactive television program guides, andmore particularly, to television program guides with a display screenthat may be used when browsing for available television programs. Aprogram list and an associated video window may be displayed in thedisplay screen at the same time.

Cable, satellite, and broadcast television systems provide viewers witha large number of television channels. Viewers have traditionallyconsulted printed television program schedules to determine the programsbeing broadcast at a particular time. More recently, interactiveelectronic television program guides have been developed that allowtelevision program information to be displayed on a viewer's television.

Interactive program guides are typically implemented on set-top boxes.Such program guides allow users to view television program listings indifferent display formats. For example, a user may instruct the programguide to display a grid or table of program listings organized in achannel-ordered or a time-ordered list. Users may also search and sortprogram listings by genre (e.g., movies, sports, etc.) or by title(i.e., alphabetically). A user may obtain additional information for aprogram by placing a highlight region on a desired program listing andpressing an “info” button. The user may purchase a pay program from theprogram guide by placing the highlight region on a program listing andpressing an “OK” button. Some systems allow the user to select a programfor recording by placing the highlight region on a program listing andpressing a “record” button.

Some program guides allow users to display a list of current programmingon the user's display screen as an overlay on top of a televisionchannel. With one such system, the user may scroll a highlight regionthrough the list of programming while monitoring the program to whichthe system is tuned in a quarter-screen window. A description of thehighlighted program may also be provided.

This type of system always maintains the video for the televisionchannel and the text of the description in complete synchronization withthe highlighted program. Whenever the highlight region is repositionedon a new program listing, the system automatically tunes to thetelevision channel for that program. The user cannot browse through theprogram listings without loosing track of what is on the channel towhich the user was originally tuned. Moreover, the program list thatthis type of system displays has cells of program information forprograms that are scheduled to be broadcast in the future as well ascurrent programs, which tends to clutter the display.

Another program guide feature that allows users to display currentprogramming information as an overlay on top of a television channel isthe so-called browse feature available in some program guides. With thistype of arrangement, the user is only presented with the title of asingle program listing, so that the user cannot review a number oflistings at a time. The title information also obscures a portion of thetelevision channel being broadcast, which interferes with the user'sability to monitor that channel. No program descriptions are listed onthe browse display screen. If the user is interested in a program titlelisted on the browse display, the user may tune to that channel bypressing a select key. However, this will cause the program guide toexit the browse mode.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a programguide system with improved browsing capabilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects of the invention are accomplished in accordancewith the principles of the present invention by providing an interactivetelevision program guide system in which the user may direct the programguide to display a browsing display screen. The browsing display screencontains information about the programs that are currently beingbroadcast.

The browsing display contains a program list that contains only programlistings for programs that are currently being broadcast. Futureprograms that are not being currently being broadcast are not containedin the list. The program list contains a highlight region that the usermay position using cursor keys, page up and down keys, channel up anddown keys, and numeric keys.

The browsing display also contains a video window in which a video ofthe television program for the channel to which the system is currentlytuned is displayed. The video window is not obstructed by any overlayinformation.

The browsing display also contains a detailed description of thehighlighted program. The detailed description may include a plotsummary, rating, critics rating, running time, actors, etc.

When the user positions the highlight region with the cursor keys orwith the page up and down keys, the detailed description isautomatically updated to correspond to the highlighted program. However,the television program displayed in the video window is unchanged. Thisallows the user to continue to watch the program in the video windowwhile browsing the program listings. The contents of the video windowmay be synchronized with the highlighted program by pressing a remotecontrol select key or the channel up and down keys.

If the user positions the highlight region with only the channel up anddown keys, the contents of the video window and the highlight region aremaintained in constant synchronization. This allows the user to browsethe titles and detailed descriptions for various programs while viewingthe programs in the video window.

The program guide may provide an info display for supplying additionalinformation on a highlighted program. The program guide may provide theuser with an opportunity to direct the program guide to display theadditional information by pressing an info key.

Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantageswill be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a display screen of a conventional program guide having aprogram list with a highlight region and a video window that containsprogramming that is always synchronized with the highlight region.

FIG. 2 is a display screen of a conventional program guide having abrowse feature with which the user may view the titles of programs onchannels other than the channel to which the system is presently tuned.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a system in which an interactive televisionprogram guide is implemented in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an illustrative remote control for use with theprogram guide system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative display screen showing how a highlight regionmay initially be positioned in the top position in the program listwhile a video window is used to display the program for the highlightedchannel in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative display screen showing how the highlightregion may be moved from the initial top position in the program list ofFIG. 5 to a position elsewhere in the list without changing the programdisplayed in the video window in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an illustrative display screen showing that after the user hasrepositioned the highlight region as shown in FIG. 6, the user maysynchronize the content of the video window with the highlighted programin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an illustrative display screen showing how the highlightedprogram in the list and the video window may be synchronized using thechannel up and down keys in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an illustrative display screen showing how the user may scrollthrough the program list using page up and down keys in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 10 is an illustrative display screen showing how the highlightregion may be repositioned at the top of the list when a synchronizationoperation using the up and down channel keys causes the program list tohighlight a program listing that is not already present on the displayscreen in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an illustrative info screen in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of steps involved in providing the browsingdisplay screen in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Conventional program guides have various program listings displayscreens that allow users to browse for programming of interest. As shownin FIG. 1, one such conventional program guide displays a grid 10 oftelevision program listings and a video window 12. In the horizontaldimension, program listings in the grid are organized by their scheduledbroadcast time (e.g., 7:00, 7:30, and 8:00). In the vertical dimension,program listings are organized in channel order. A highlight region 14may be positioned by a user on a program listing of interest. The usermay view information for additional channels and times by moving thehighlight region to scroll or pan through the listings in grid 10.However, the content of video window 12 is maintained in constantsynchronization with highlight region 14. Whenever highlight region 14is moved, the program in video window 12 changes to the highlightedprogram. A description of the currently highlighted program is displayedin description window 16.

There are a number of disadvantages associated with the arrangement ofFIG. 1. In particular, the program listings grid 10 has multiple gridcells in the horizontal dimension. If the user is only interested inprogramming that is currently being broadcast, the extra cells in thegrid of FIG. 1 (i.e., the cells for future programming) merely clutterthe display. In addition, because the content of video window 12 andhighlight region 14 are continuously synchronized, the user cannot movethe highlight region to browse through additional program listingswithout changing the program in video window 12. This prevents the userfrom paying close attention to a particular program of interest whilethe user browses the listings.

Another conventional program guide arrangement with which a user maybrowse program listings is shown in FIG. 2. In the arrangement of FIG.2, the user may invoke a browse mode when it is desired to browsethrough program listings without changing the current channel. Theprogram guide presents a browse display 20 that is overlaid on top ofthe current channel 22. The user may view single program titles 24 forchannels other than the current channel 22 using cursor keys to changebrowse channel 26 and browse time 28.

However, the browse arrangement of FIG. 2 does not allow the user toview more than one program title at a time, which tends to make browsingthrough a large number of listings inefficient. Moreover, the usercannot tune to a channel of interest without exiting the browse mode.The user also cannot view detailed program descriptions for highlightedprograms without taking additional actions in the program guide.

In contrast, the present invention provides a program guide having abrowsing display that allows a user to browse a program list ofcurrently available programs with a highlight region while viewing atelevision channel of interest in a video window. The program list is asingle cell in width (i.e., in the time dimension) and multiple cells inlength (i.e., in the channel dimension). A detailed program descriptionwindow is provided for displaying a description of the highlightedprogram listing. If the user desires to view the program for ahighlighted program listing, the user can synchronize the contents ofthe video window to the highlighted listing without exiting the browsedisplay.

An illustrative program guide system 30 in accordance with the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 3. Main facility 32 contains a program guidedatabase 34 for storing program guide information such as televisionprogram guide listings data, pay-per-view ordering information,television program promotional information, etc. Information fromdatabase 34 may be transmitted to television distribution facility 36via communications link 38. Link 38 may be a satellite link, a telephonenetwork link, a cable or fiber optic link, a microwave link, acombination of such links, or any other suitable communications path. Ifit is desired to transmit video signals over link 38 in addition to datasignals, a relatively high bandwidth link such as a satellite link isgenerally preferable to a relatively low bandwidth link such as atelephone line.

Television distribution facility 36 is a facility for distributingtelevision signals to users, such as a cable system headend, a broadcastdistribution facility, or a satellite television distribution facility.

The program guide information transmitted by main facility 32 totelevision distribution facility 36 includes television program listingsdata for current and future television programs. The television programlistings data for each program preferably includes (but is not limitedto) the title of the program, the channel for the program, a scheduledbroadcast time (start time) and an ending time (or duration). Othertypical program listings data include ratings, critics ratings,descriptions, genres (sports, movies, children, etc.), actors, etc.Transmitted program information may also include advertising informationand pay program data such as pricing information for individual programsand subscription channels, time windows for ordering programs andchannels, telephone numbers for placing orders that cannot be impulseordered, etc.

Television distribution facility 36 distributes television programmingand program guide information to the user television equipment 40 ofmultiple users via communications paths 42. For example, televisionprogramming may be distributed over analog television channels andprogram guide data may be distributed over an out-of-band channel onpaths 42. Data distribution may also involve using one or more digitalchannels on paths 42. Such digital channels may also be used fordistributing television programming and other information. Usertelevision equipment 40 typically contains set-top boxes 44. Multipletelevision and audio channels (analog, digital, or both analog anddigital) may be provided to set-top boxes 44 via communications paths42. If desired, program listings and other information may bedistributed by one or more distribution facilities that are similar tobut separate from television distribution facility 36 usingcommunications paths that are separate from communications paths 42.

Certain functions such as pay program purchasing may require set-topboxes 44 to transmit data to television distribution facility 36 overcommunications paths 42. If desired, such data may be transmitted overtelephone lines or other separate communications paths. If functionssuch as these are provided using facilities separate from televisiondistribution facility 36, some of the communications involving set-topboxes 44 may be made directly with the separate facilities.

Each user has a receiver, which is typically in a set-top box 44, butwhich may be other suitable television equipment into which circuitrysimilar to set-top-box circuitry has been integrated. Program guide datais distributed to set-top boxes 44 periodically. Television distributionfacility 36 may also poll set-top boxes 44 periodically for certaininformation (e.g., pay program account information or informationregarding programs that have been purchased and viewed usinglocally-generated authorization techniques). Main facility 32 preferablycontains a processor to handle information distribution tasks. Eachset-top box 44 preferably contains a processor to handle tasksassociated with implementing an interactive television program guide onthe set-top box 44. Television distribution facility 36 may contain aprocessor for tasks associated with monitoring a user's interactionswith the interactive program guide implemented on set-top boxes 44 andfor handling tasks associated with the distribution of program guidedata and other information to user television equipment 40.

Each set-top box 44 may be connected to a videocassette recorder 46 sothat selected television programs may be recorded. Each videocassetterecorder 46 may be connected to a television 48. To record a program,set-top box 44 tunes to a particular channel and sends control signalsto videocassette recorder 46 (e.g., using an infrared transmitter) thatdirect videocassette recorder 46 to start and stop recording at theappropriate times.

During use of the interactive television program guide implemented onset-top box 44, television program listings and other information may bedisplayed on television 48. Such program guide displays may be presentedon top of a television program to which the user has tuned with set-topbox 44 or may be presented in place of such a program. Each set-top box44, videocassette recorder 46, and television 48 may be controlled byone or more remote controls 50 or any other suitable user inputinterface such as a wireless keyboard, mouse, trackball, dedicated setof buttons, etc.

An illustrative remote control 50 is shown in FIG. 4. In normaloperation, channel up and down keys (channel keys) 52 may be used tochange the channel to which set-top box 44 is tuned. Up, down, left, andright cursor keys 54 may be used to position a highlight region onvarious on-screen menus and program lists presented by the programguide. Page up and down keys 56 may be used to scroll through programlistings in larger increments than cursor keys 54. Select key 58 may beused to make menu selections. Numeric keys 60 may be used to direct-tuneto a desired television channel during normal television viewing or maybe used to position the highlight region within program lists. Exit toTV key 62 may be used to exit the program guide and cause set-top box 44to display television programming for the current channel on television48. Back up key 64 may be used in the program guide to back up to theprevious display screen. Info key 66 may be pressed when the user hashighlighted a program listing of interest and desires additionalinformation for that listing. Various other keys (not shown) may be usedfor functions such as controlling power, videocassette recorder (VCR)functions, volume control, etc. The keys for remote control 50 of FIG. 4represent just one illustrative example of a suitable remote controlarrangement. Any other suitable remote control key arrangement may beused if desired.

As shown in FIG. 5, the user may direct the program guide to presentbrowsing display 70 on display screen 72 so that the user may view alist of current programs 74 while simultaneously viewing a televisionprogram in a video window 76. The user may invoke the browsing displaymode using any suitable technique, such as by making a menu selectionor, preferably, pressing a dedicated button on remote control 50 such asselect key 58.

Program list 74 is preferably only a single cell or element in width(i.e., in the time dimension), but is multiple cells or elements inlength (i.e., in the channel dimension). Only programs that arecurrently being broadcast (i.e., being provided by televisiondistribution facility 36 of FIG. 3 via cable, satellite, or traditionalbroadcasting) are included in program list 74, so list 74 is notcluttered by cells containing information for future programming.Because list 74 contains multiple program listings in the verticaldimension, the user can scan through a relatively large number ofprogram listings at a glance. Both the simplification of list 74 bydisplaying only current programming and the use of multiple programlistings in the vertical dimension enhance the ability of the user torapidly browse the program listings for a large number of currentlyavailable programs.

Browsing display 70 preferably contains a detailed program descriptionbox 78 that contains a detailed text description of the programassociated with the program listing currently highlighted by highlightregion 80. For example, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 5, the program“Jeff Fenholt” is highlighted, so detailed program description box 78contains a detailed description of the Jeff Fenholt program. Thehighlight region may be a region of different shading, color, orpattern, a pointer, the outline of a box, or any other suitable visualindicator of the program of interest.

The user may position highlight region 80 on any of the program listingsin list 74. Highlight region 80 may be positioned using any suitabletechnique. For example, highlight region 80 may be positioned using upand down cursor keys 54 a and 54 b (FIG. 4). Highlight region 80 mayalso be positioned on the listing for a channel of interest usingnumeric keys 60.

As the user changes the position of highlight region 80 with cursor keys54 or numeric keys 60, the content of video window 76 does not change.The television program for the channel to which set-top box 44 iscurrently tuned continues to be displayed in video window 76, so long asthe user does not take any action beyond repositioning highlight region80 within list 74. This is shown in FIG. 6. Although the user haspositioned highlight region 80 on top of the program listing for channel19 in the browsing display of FIG. 6, the video in video window 76remains tuned to channel 17. The content of video window 76 is thereforenot always in synchronization with the currently highlighted program.However, each time highlight region 80 is repositioned, the programdescription 78 is immediately updated to display information for thecurrently highlighted program. This arrangement allows the user to viewan unobstructed video of a television channel of interest while browsingprogram listings and their automatically displayed descriptions.

If a user who is browsing the program listings in list 74 becomesinterested in a particular program, the user can direct the programguide to update video window 76 to display the video for that program.For example, if the user becomes interested in the program on channel 19after reading its description, the user may press a key such as selectkey 58 (FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 7, when the select key 58 is pressed,the program guide replaces the video for the current channel (channel17) in video window 76 with the video for the new channel of interest(channel 19). In this way, the content of video window 76 may be broughtinto synchronization with the highlighted program.

Another way in which to bring the content of video window 76 intosynchronization with highlight region 80 is to use channel up and downkeys 52

(FIG. 4). For example, if the user has highlighted channel 19 whilevideo window 76 is tuned to channel 17, as shown in FIG. 6, subsequentlypressing the channel up key 52 (FIG. 4) causes the program guide to movehighlight region 80 from the channel 19 program listing (Classic ArtsShowcase) to the channel 18 program listing (Original Gangstas), asshown in FIG. 8. At the same time, the program in video window 76 isreplaced with the program for channel 18, matching the programhighlighted by highlight region 80 and thereby synchronizing videowindow 76 and highlight region 80.

Although using the channel up key 54 generally causes the system to tuneto the next highest channel during normal television viewing, when thechannel up key 54 is used to move highlight region 80 within list 74,pressing channel up key 54 tunes the system to the next lowest channel.With this arrangement, the direction of highlight region movementfollows the direction of the channel up and down keys, which may be lessconfusing to the user than if the direction of highlight region movementwere reversed.

If the user positions highlight region 80 on the top or bottom programof list 74, further attempts at movement of the highlight region maycause the program guide to scroll the list. For example, if the downcursor key 54 is used to move highlight region 80 to the bottom programposition in list 74 in FIG. 8 (channel 22), pressing the down cursor keyagain causes the program guide to display the next program in the list(i.e., the program for channel 23) as the bottom element of list 74while moving all of the other programs up one position in the list.Scrolling operations in the other direction are performed similarly.

Another way in which the user may browse the program listings in list 74is to use page up and down keys 56. Using the page keys allows the userto browse through the listings more quickly than using the cursor keys.The program guide preferably ensures that there is a single elementoverlap between the programs in list 74 whenever the page keys are used.For example, if the user presses page down key 56 when highlight region80 and program list 74 appear as in FIG. 8, the program guide willredraw list 74 with the last program in the list of FIG. 8 (Heavy) asthe first program in the new list, as shown in FIG. 9. Highlight region80 is preferably repositioned on the top program in list 74. Movinghighlight region 80 with page up and down keys 56 (or numeric keys 60)does not cause the program guide to update the program in video window76, which therefore remains tuned to the same channel as in the browsingdisplay of FIG. 8.

When highlight region 80 is moved up and down through adjacent listingsin list 74 with channel keys 52, the program displayed in video window76 is in synchronization with the highlighted program as shown in theexample of FIGS. 7 and 8. If, however, a channel up or down key 52 ispressed when the program listing for the channel adjacent to the channelin video window 76 is not already among the programs displayed in list74, the program guide may redraw list 74 with the appropriate channel inthe top list position. For example, in the browsing display of FIG. 9,the program for channel 18 is displayed in video window 76. Pressing thechannel up key 52 will cause the program guide to tune the system to theappropriate adjacent channel—channel 17—and to display the program forthat channel in video window 76, as shown in FIG. 10. Because theprogram listing for the program for channel 17 (Jeff Fenholt) did notappear on list 74 in FIG. 9, the program guide did not have theopportunity to simply reposition highlight region 80 within the existinglist. Accordingly, the program guide displayed list 74 with the channel17 program listing and highlight region 80 in the top list position. Thedescription in detailed description window 78 remains synchronized withthe highlighted program, as always.

The program guide may provide an opportunity for the user to obtainadditional information on a highlighted program. For example, theprogram guide may allow the user to press an info key such as info key66 of FIG. 4 that directs the program guide to display additionalinformation in the form of info display screen 82 of FIG. 11. Intodisplay screen 82 may contain the title 84 and a detailed description 86for the highlighted program. Because more space is available in infodisplay screen 82 than in detailed description window 78, moreinformation may generally be provided in into display screen 82 than indetailed description window 78. Information that may be provided inscreens such as information display screen 82 includes programdescriptions, ratings, critic ratings, running times, actors, etc.

Info display screen 82 may contain menu options such as exit option 88,ordering info option 90, set reminder option 92, and tune option 94. Theuser may return to browsing display 70 by selecting exit option 88 withhighlight region 96 or by pressing back up key 64 (FIG. 4) to view thepreviously displayed screen. The user may select ordering into option 90to view information on ordering the selected program. The user mayselect set reminder option 92 to set a reminder. Set reminder option maybe used, for example, if the program is a series and the user wishes tobe reminded the next time the program is to be broadcast. Tune option 94may be selected if the user wishes to tune to the listed program.

Steps involved in providing the browsing display screen feature areillustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 12. At step 98, the program guideprovides the user with an option for invoking the browsing display mode.For example, the program guide may allow the user to invoke the browsingdisplay mode by pressing select key 58 of FIG. 4 while viewing a giventelevision channel. If the user invokes the browsing display mode, theprogram guide displays a program list such as list 74 at step 100. Theprogram listing for the current channel is preferably displayed in thetop position on the list and is highlighted by a suitable highlightregion. The program for the current channel is displayed in video window76.

At step 102, the program guide allows the user to reposition highlightregion 80 on a program listing other than the program listing for theprogram currently displayed in video window 76 without changing theprogram displayed in video window 76. The description in detaileddescription window 78 is synchronized with the highlighted programlisting. The user may position highlight region 80 without changing theprogram displayed in video window 76 by using cursor keys, page up anddown keys, or numeric keys. Pressing info key 66 causes the programguide to display info screen 82 (step 104). Pressing exit to TV key 62allows the user to exit the program guide and return to normaltelevision viewing (step 106).

If the user presses select key 58 after positioning highlight region 80on a program listing for a new channel at step 102, the program guidetunes the system to that new channel at step 108. The program for thenew channel is displayed in video window 76. Because the program guidealso continues to display the program list 74 with highlight region 80on the program listing for the new channel, the content of video window76 is in synchronization with the highlighted program.

If the user presses up or down channel key 52 at step 102, the programguide tunes the system at step 110 to an new channel that is adjacent inchannel number to the channel that was displayed in video window 76 atstep 102. In addition, the program guide displays program list 74 atstep 110 with the program listing for the new adjacent channelhighlighted.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this inventionand various modifications can be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

1-44. (canceled)
 45. A method comprising: generating a simultaneousdisplay of (1) plurality of program listings, (2) a first regionconfigured to display a first type of content, and (3) a second regionconfigured to display a second type of content; receiving a user inputto navigate from a first of the plurality of program listings to asecond of the plurality of program listings; changing content displayedin the first region to correspond to the second of the plurality ofprogram listings in response to receiving the user input; anddetermining, based on the user input, whether to change content beingdisplayed in the second region to correspond to the second of theplurality of program listings.
 46. The method of claim 45, wherein theinteractive program listings correspond to programs currently availablefor viewing.
 47. The method of claim 45, wherein the first type ofcontent includes detailed program description and wherein the secondtype of content includes a video.
 48. The method of claim 45, whereinthe determining comprises: in response to identifying the user input asa first command, changing content displayed in the second region tocorrespond to the second of the plurality of program listings; and inresponse to identifying the user input as a second command, maintainingunchanged the content being displayed in the second region.
 49. Themethod of claim 48, wherein the first command corresponds to a first setof input options and wherein the second command corresponds to a secondset of input options different from the first set of input options. 50.The method of claim 45 further comprising in response to receiving theuser input, moving a highlight region to the second of the plurality ofprogram listings from the first of the plurality of program listings.51. The method of claim 45, wherein the content displayed in the secondregion corresponds to a television channel that corresponds to one ofthe plurality of program listings.
 52. The method of claim 45 furthercomprising displaying an information screen containing an additionaldescription of the second program listings in response to further userinput.
 53. The method of claim 45 further comprising returning to normaltelevision viewing from the generated simultaneous display in responseto further user input.
 54. The method of claim 45, wherein the userinput is received from a user input device.
 55. A system comprisingcontrol circuitry configured to: generate a simultaneous display of (1)plurality of program listings, (2) a first region configured to displaya first type of content, and (3) a second region configured to display asecond type of content; receive a user input to navigate from a first ofthe plurality of program listings to a second of the plurality ofprogram listings; change content displayed in the first region tocorrespond to the second of the plurality of program listings inresponse to receiving the user input; and determine, based on the userinput, whether to change content being displayed in the second region tocorrespond to the second of the plurality of program listings.
 56. Thesystem of claim 55, wherein the interactive program listings correspondto programs currently available for viewing.
 57. The system of claim 55,wherein the first type of content includes detailed program descriptionand wherein the second type of content includes a video.
 58. The systemof claim 55, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to: inresponse to identifying the user input as a first command, changecontent displayed in the second region to correspond to the second ofthe plurality of program listings; and in response to identifying theuser input as a second command, maintain unchanged the content beingdisplayed in the second region.
 59. The system of claim 58, wherein thefirst command corresponds to a first set of input options and whereinthe second command corresponds to a second set of input optionsdifferent from the first set of input options.
 60. The system of claim55, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to in responseto receiving the user input, move a highlight region to the second ofthe plurality of program listings from the first of the plurality ofprogram listings.
 61. The system of claim 55, wherein the contentdisplayed in the second region corresponds to a television channel thatcorresponds to one of the plurality of program listings.
 62. The systemof claim 55, wherein the control circuitry is further configured todisplay an information screen containing an additional description ofthe second program listings in response to further user input.
 63. Thesystem of claim 55, wherein the control circuitry is further configuredto return to normal television viewing from the generated simultaneousdisplay in response to further user input.
 64. The system of claim 55,wherein the user input is received from a user input device.